Neil ‘Sam’ Samworth spent eleven years working as a prison officer in HMP Manchester, aka Strangeways. A tough Yorkshireman with a soft heart, Sam had to deal with it all. Strangeways is a shocking and at times darkly funny account of life in a high security prison. Sam tackles cell fires and self-harmers, averts a Christmas Day riot after turkey is taken off the menu, and stands up to officers who abuse their position. He describes being attacked, and reveals the problems caused by radicalization and drugs. As staffing cuts saw Britain’s prison system descend into crisis, the stress of the job left Sam suffering from PTSD. This raw, searingly honest memoir is a testament to the men and women of the prison service and the incredibly difficult job we ask them to do.

"A jaw-dropping, page-turning account of life as a prison officer in one of the country's most notorious jails.
“Now more than ever feels like the right time to tell this story. Sam’s unique and often totally hilarious voice is essential to the brilliance of the book. […]” MAMMOTH SCREEN
"Authentic, tough, horrifying in some places, hilarious in others . . . the author's honesty and decency shine through." JONATHAN AITKEN"